DOB:19.3.73 County:Warwickshire Test debut: 3rd Test v South Africa, Old Trafford 1998 One-day international debut: v Australia, The Oval 1997 Slow left-arm spin bowler, right hand batsman

After his spectacular success in Pakistan in 2000, when he picked up 17 wickets in three Tests, last winter's tours to India and New Zealand proved less satisfying.

It was touch and go whether Giles would play in the series in India because of an Achilles problem, but he only missed the opening Test and recorded figures of five for 67 in Ahmedabad.

Found himself at the centre of controversy, however, when he was asked to bowl a negative leg stump line to Sachin Tendulkar in the third match in Bangalore, but it paid off when he had India's top batsman stumped for the first time in his Test career.

Giles played in all three Tests against Sri Lanka at the start of the summer and although six wickets was not a spectacular return, his place appears secure for some time to come with no obvious alternatives available.

A better batsman than a Test average of 13.05 suggests, Giles showed what he is capable of with by scoring 45 against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.